Independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn was surrounded by family as she conceded defeat at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin. "Now is the time for all Texans to come together," she said.

Independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn was surrounded by family as she conceded defeat at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin. "Now is the time for all Texans to come together," she said.

Photo: TONY GUTIERREZ, AP

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A young supporter collects an Election Night autograph from Independent Kinky Friedman at Scholz Garten in Austin.

A young supporter collects an Election Night autograph from Independent Kinky Friedman at Scholz Garten in Austin.

Photo: DELCIA LOPEZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry re-elected

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AUSTIN - Republican Gov. Rick Perry beat a unique set of challengers Tuesday for another term that could make him Texas' longest-serving governor as he presses priorities such as border security, strict state budgeting and an ambitious transportation plan.

It was a less-than-cliff-hanging end to a race that started with a lot of potential for drama — thanks to the entry of colorful independents Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn — and ended with much of that potential unrealized.

Incomplete returns showed Perry leading with 39 percent of the vote, Democrat Chris Bell was second with 30 percent, followed by Strayhorn with 18 percent and Friedman, 12 percent.

"I want to say something to every Texan that may be listening tonight: Whether you voted for me or not, or whether you voted for one of the other candidates, for the next four years it is my intention to serve you as your governor," Perry said at his Election-Night party in downtown Austin. "I will serve you with humility, recognizing that Texas is better when we all work together."

Critics said Perry favored special interests while not doing enough for ordinary Texans. But Perry rode his "Proud of Texas" theme to victory over entertainer and author Friedman, who once headed the Texas Jewboys band; state Comptroller Strayhorn, known as "One Tough Grandma," former congressman and Houston city councilman Bell; and Libertarian James Werner.

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As the early results indicated that Texans had returned Perry to office for a second full term, hundreds of GOP loyalists began gathering Tuesday night at the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin to celebrate. Few seemed concerned at the prospect of a victory without a majority. "As long as he wins," said Ryan Kelton, 28, a contract administrator for a computer company.

Perry appealed to all Texans for support.

"When we walk off the stage tonight, we leave behind any acrimony from the campaigns and partisan rivalry for a greater good," said Perry, who didn't need a majority but only the largest number of votes to win.

Challengers advocate unity

At the nearby historic Driskill Hotel, Strayhorn conceded after an evening of watching returns in the Governor's Suite.

"I just want you to know I just called and congratulated Gov. Perry. I wish him the best over the next four years," Strayhorn told supporters while surrounded by her four sons, six granddaughters, husband and daughters-in-law. "Now is the time for all Texans to come together and work for what's best for all Texans, our children, our future."

In Houston, Bell maintained his composure as he conceded before sad-eyed supporters. His young sons were at his side and his wife, Alison, wiped tears from the face of 8-year-old Connally.

"It has been a long, hard battle and one that I will always believe was worth fighting. I hope you think so, too," Bell told the applauding crowd.

He said he entered the race because he couldn't accept or ignore the problems facing the state, and that it wasn't in vain because it offered a hearty debate.

"And then, when the fighting is done, we must move forward," Bell said. He added that a successful government requires putting partisanship aside and "coming together."

Worth the effort

Alison Bell said she wasn't sure what her husband would do immediately after the election. But she said she couldn't see him abandoning his political ambitions.

"I highly doubt he would stay out of politics. Once the bug bites ... " she said.

Bell recognized many supporters, including Houston trial lawyer John O'Quinn, who flashed victory and thumbs-up signs as he shared the stage with Bell.

O'Quinn, who fueled the final weeks of Bell's campaign with large contributions and loans, said his support was worth it because he gave a voice to a Democrat who wouldn't otherwise have had one.

"Right or wrong, like it or not, no one can win a race in modern media without millions of dollars," O'Quinn told reporters. "Chris Bell was abandoned like an orphan, like he was a leper, abandoned by the monied people. What was their real agenda?."

At Scholz's Garten near the Capitol — the historic gathering place of Austin liberals — the maverick Friedman refused to do the expected concession. Speaking to supporters shortly before 10 p.m., he said he was "ready to form a shadow government." When told that Bell and Strayhorn had conceded, he replied, "That shows you what they're made of."

Friedman said his campaign was made up of "gypsies on a pirate ship" fighting a well-organized and funded campaigns.

But he said he was proud of the effort.

"The campaign inspired an awful lot of people and it certainly inspired me," he said.

Friedman said he would follow through on his promise to retire to a goat farm in a petulant snit if Perry won.

Austin musician Matt Eskey, 41, said his vote for Friedman was a protest against party politics.

"It's a strike against career politicians, which is all I care about," he said.

If Perry serves out another four-year term — discounting the whispers of some that he might be a vice-presidential contender — he would be governor for a record decade in a political career he started as a Democratic state lawmaker from rural Haskell County.

Confident in mandate

He changed parties before winning his first statewide office, as agriculture commissioner, and went on to become lieutenant governor before stepping up to governor when
George W. Bush
went to the White House.

Perry has consistently discounted the idea that his agenda might be hampered by a victory short of half the vote, saying, "We'll still have 100 percent of the authority."

Ten previous governors have been elected with less than 50 percent of the vote, most recently the late Democratic former Gov. Ann Richards in 1990, according to the Texas Almanac.

Perry's talk about what he wants to tackle next in Texas has been big picture.

On state government budgets, he wants more fiscal discipline and a bigger role for the governor in spending decisions.

On taxes, he sees a chance that the rate of Texas' expanded state business tax — approved this year as part of a plan to lower local school property tax rates — might be cut with a budget surplus.

He also has set in motion an effort to more tightly control property appraisals, one factor affecting tax bills that has kept people from feeling school property tax rate cuts.

On transportation, he is pressing ahead with his Trans Texas Corridor plan, a traffic-easing network meant to include toll roads, utility lines and rail.

On the hot-button issue of border security, Perry plans to ask lawmakers for $100 million to help fend off the threat of drug cartels and terrorists.

Regarding higher education, he has yet to offer specifics but says he wants to make it more affordable, accessible and efficient.

Pointing to successes

It's all part of a philosophy that he said has focused on improving the economy and people's ability to better themselves.

Opponents said he put Texas on a poor course marked by special attention to corporate interests through such things as financial incentives, which he said were important to attract employers; insufficient support for important programs including public education; and roadblocks to health care for needy children.

Perry capitalized on the idea that while he had a record to show voters, his opponents didn't cite accomplishments great enough or plans specific enough to show they'd do better.

He pointed to moves including this year's passage of the school finance package that expanded business and other taxes to lower school property tax rates. It drew strong criticism and support as it satisfied a court order for change.

He hammered on steps he took to meet a $10 billion budget shortfall several years ago without new taxes, to enhance border security, to promote economic development and to untangle transportation snarls.

He acted on his conservative credentials by signing abortion restrictions and championing a ban on same-sex marriage. He defended stricter requirements for enrolling in the Children's Health Insurance Program, saying the rules encouraged personal responsibility.

On March 6, Texas voters will decide who will carry the Democratic party's mantle into the battle for governor and a slew of other statewide offices. Click here for full coverage of the primary elections. Find our voters guide here.